Two young Surrey stars have sung their way into the area finals of a national competition.

Amber Thomas, 11, from Epsom Road, Epsom, and Lauren Emanuel, 12, from Higher Drive, Banstead, have battled it out against 9,000 other competitors in the TeenStar competition and now face the final hurdle before securing a place in the national finals, taking place at the O2 Arena on July 13.

Amber is a pupil at Rosebery School, where she performs in the choir and she also attends Laine Theatre Arts in Epsom while Lauren goes to Nonsuch High in Cheam and sings with her band, Ultraviolet at Realistic Music Academy in Epsom.

The pair both wowed the judges at regional finals in Camden and Brighton and will now compete at the area finals on May 18. Amber will perform in the London and East England finals in Hayes, Middlesex and Lauren will be travelling to Portsmouth Guildhall for the Southern finals.

Amber’s mother, Paula-Lee, described her daughter’s performance, with her brother, Emyr, accompanying on the guitar, at the regional finals as ‘mature’ and ‘dramatic’. She said: "I was the only supporter in the audience in the packed club. It was so lovely to hear strangers cheering for her at the end of the song."

Looking ahead, Lauren said: "I would love to perform at the O2. To sing at the same venue as some of the world’s greatest artists would be a dream come true."

Chris Grayston, events coordinator for TeenStar, said: "We are looking to find an act with something unique to offer, with both the ability to deliver a strong live performance but also potential to become a professional recording artist."